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National Moth Week Survey 2012
On July 27th, 2012, a few members of the Alberta Lepodopterist’s Guild came out to the Devonian Botanic Gardens to survey moths for National Moth Week. “Moth’ers” in attendance: Dave Lawrie, Gary Anweiler, Bruce Christensen and Rob Hughes. Also in attendance: Hovind Family, Cody, Melissa, and Jared; Ellen Christensen; Kent Zocchi; Ron and Marlene Ramsey; Miron Family, Gaston, Kim, Ashley, Liam, Maddy, Emma; Kristin Walsh; Kagume Family, Krista, Jemma, Toby and Sahara.
The Devonian Botanic Gardens is located just 25 km from the outskirts of west Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The gardens has a 40 year history of 11,000 plant species blooming from very early to late in the season, it is pesticide free, and boasts in diverse woodland, crop and field habitats and multiple soil types from bog to sand ridge.

The evening weather was hot and humid of, the day time high at 28C. As the scientists set up their equipment, families had the opportunity to go ponding for aquatic invertebrates and frogs. We explored the Milkweed looking for Monarch caterpillars, a rare site this far north in Alberta. Not only did we find Monarch caterpillars and adult females depositing eggs on the Milkweed, but several species of pollinators were observed and discussed. After the initial excitement of arriving wore off and all that was left to do was wait for dark, we sat and enjoyed a hot dog roast by the DBG’s Calla Pond. A beauty of a moth showed up at dusk and instantly changed our relaxed demeanor into excitement, the Four Spotted Ghost Moth (Sthenopis purpurascens).

There was an overshadowing of a possible summer evening thunderstorm approaching from the west, the perfect conditions for moth’ing, according to Gary. He was right! Excitement and anticipation turned to seriousness and awe as we intently gazed at the illuminated white sheets overwhelmed by hundreds of moths. It was estimated that there were approx. 140 species observed, with 54 species of macro moths affirmatively identified.

Not all moths are attracted to light traps, therefore we also used bait. The sugaring recipe used at this event was a basic beer and brown sugar mixture. The children participating in this event used foam paint brushes to apply the bait to poplar and birch trees and stood by with flashlights waiting. It didn’t take long before the trees started to get covered. Not only did this bait work for moths, but it also attracted several species of butterflies the next day.